2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Lexus GX presented a commanding presence with its large spindle grille and 206 millimetres of ground clearance, standing tall at 1,885 millimetres. Its front end appeared ready to conquer the road, with massive headlights framing its distinctive face. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned in 2023, limited to 3,000 units and available in three paint colours, including the new Eminent White Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's design seemed more suited for off-road adventures, with a short wheelbase and minimal overhangs. The interior, however, was a mix of luxury and practicality, with some plastic materials betraying its premium status. Yet, it offered heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, setting it apart from other family-friendly SUVs. Available in two trims in Canada, Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy, it offered a luxurious feel with features like an artificial suede headliner and quality upholstery. The interior exuded sophistication, making it feel like a luxury SUV. The Palisade's design might not have appealed to everyone, but those who appreciated its looks likely enjoyed its other attributes. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim, in particular, offered a decadent experience with its premium materials and thoughtful design touches.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque through a 6-speed automatic transmission. While it didn't excel on paper compared to more modern engines, the naturally aspirated 4.6-litre V8 provided a satisfying sound and linear power delivery. Its towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms was respectable, though it lagged behind some competitors. Fuel economy was a downside, with estimates of 16.2 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 14.5 combined. The GX's weight contributed to its rolling through corners, but its driving dynamics were improved over the years, offering a communicative road feel and strong brakes. The Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential enhanced its 4WD system, making it user-friendly in various conditions.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, all-wheel drive was standard, and the Palisade offered a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. It provided several driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, with the ability to lock the AWD system for off-road conditions. The V6 engine delivered satisfying power and acceleration, while the transmission was responsive. Fuel consumption was estimated at 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Palisade's suspension offered a firm yet comfortable ride, with excellent visibility and a top-down surround-view camera aiding city driving. It displayed unexpected athleticism on winding roads, with predictable handling and reliable brakes.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered ample cubby space for small items, with a deep centre console bin and convenient cupholders. However, it lacked modern USB-C ports, relying on older USB-A ports. The GX retained physical controls, which some might prefer over touchscreens, though the abundance of buttons required familiarization. The centre console lid featured adjustable sliding mechanisms, and the second row provided comfort with captain's chairs or a standard bench seat. The third row was tight, suitable only for occasional use. The side-hinged trunk door was not power-operated, and cargo space was limited, with 328 litres behind the rear seats and 1,832 litres with all seats folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a luxurious interior with artificial leather in the Urban trim and premium Nappa leather in the Ultimate Calligraphy. It featured heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-panel sunroof. The Calligraphy trim added an Ergo Motion massage function for the driver. Configurable storage between the front seats included a large bin and wireless smartphone charger. Second-row passengers enjoyed comfort with a bench seat or captain's chairs, and USB ports were built into the front seatbacks. The third row was more spacious than most rivals, with standard heating and air conditioning vents. The hands-free power tailgate provided easy access to the generous cargo space, with 509 litres behind the third row and 2,447 litres with all seats folded.

The 2023 Lexus GX featured a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an improvement over the previous model, with standard integrations like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. However, the system felt dated compared to other Lexus models, with lagging graphics. The GX included a CD player, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, and Lexus Enform Remote for remote start. Off-road capabilities were a highlight, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, hill-start assist, and more. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) and optional multi-terrain monitor enhanced its off-road prowess.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and touchscreen infotainment system with navigation. It supported Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the latter required a USB-A cable. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included wireless charging. Hyundai's Bluelink connected services offered remote engine starting and emergency assistance. The standard 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system provided excellent audio quality. Additional technologies included a digital rearview mirror, semi-autonomous remote parking, and a head-up display with navigation instructions and safety feature status.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it included advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and more. Despite its older design, the GX featured modern safety technology, though it lacked some top-end features.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and more. Highway Driving Assist provided a hands-on driving system for highway travel. The rear-seat reminder system used ultrasonic sensing for added safety. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS, though NHTSA crash tests were incomplete.